As the internationally prestigious MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN (MAJ) approaches, local media are publishing articles about the award almost every day. The performers for the grand ceremony, where the main categories will be announced, have recently been announced, and Sam Smith will be coming to Japan for the first time in several years to give a special performance as the program’s first overseas guest.
The lineup also includes Kaze Fujii, HANA, Sakanaction, and Kenshi Yonezu, who were nominated for Artist of the Year. Adding color to this night will be TWICE’s three Japanese members, MISAMO, Chanmina, and Hitsuji Bungaku, as well as the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, a big band with a long career at festivals in Japan and abroad, who will perform a one-night-only set alongside LiSA, TAKUMA (10-FEET), and AiNA THE END.
A series of events under the banner of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN WEEK will be held across Tokyo leading up to the grand ceremony on June 13th. Check out some of our top picks that touch on the deep history of Japanese music.
Music Awards Japan 2026 Photo courtesy: Yuma Totsuka
Yuma Totsuka
The Successor — Major Hip Hop Tribute
June 8th (Monday) @Zepp DiverCity (TOKYO)
The Successor is a ceremony that condenses over 40 years of Japanese hip-hop into one night. The seeds of hip-hop culture sown in Japan in the 1980s have grown into a vast culture that has left its mark throughout Asia through the rise of the Japanese rap scene since the 1990s. A special live performance that will pass on the baton and weave its history not as nostalgic but as “the next inheritance.” Produced by ZEEBRA and Kan Takagi, who has been active at the forefront of the scene since its inception, along with the new generation standard bearer YZERR. Expect a complete and integrated expression of the core of hip-hop, where music, dance, art and DJ culture come together as one.
The bill combines foundational names like RHYMESTER, King Giddra, and NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND with current scene-leading artists (T-Pablow, STUTS, PUNPEE, \ellow Bucks), as well as next-gen rappers like Watson, MaRI, and 3Li\en. Don’t miss this rare chance to learn about the history and present of this scene, which is still relatively unknown overseas.
Tribute to Eiichi Otaki — Symbol of Music Awards Japan 2026
June 10th (Wednesday) @SGC Hall Ariake
MAJ selects the “SYMBOL OF MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN” every year. Following last year’s award winner YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA (YMO), the symbol of 2026 is Eiichi Otaki. After forming the legendary band Happy End with Haruomi Hosono and Takashi Matsumoto, Otaki wrote songs that will go down in Japanese pop history, including “Kimi wa Tenneniro,” “Yume de Aetara,” and “Happy End.” In recent years, his name has spread across generations and borders through YouTube and other streaming services. This is a fitting tribute to an artist with a truly special meaning in Japanese music history, and an opportunity to delve into his discography.
The biggest attraction is Otaki himself’s “vocal appearance” (archive singing). This night will focus on recordings from Otaki’s active days, and will feature performances by artists with ties to Otaki, including Ginji Ito, Junichi Inagaki, Masamichi Sugi, Shigeru Suzuki, Tortoise Matsumoto (Ulfles), Maki Nomiya, Fumiya Fujii, Minako Yoshida, and Marina Watanabe, providing a valuable experience that gets to the heart of Japanese music history.
Billboard Japan | Spotify announces Women In Music — EQUAL STAGE
June 9th (Tuesday) @SGC Hall Ariake
This joint show by Billboard Japan and Spotify is built around the theme of female empowerment, and will pack into three and a half hours sets from ATARASHII GAKKO!, which has won enthusiastic fans overseas with its unconventional performances, and female artists who are popular both domestically and internationally. J The queen of hip-hop, Awich is taking the genre to the world. Hitsuji Literature conveys true strength through transparent alternative rock. And LANA empowers young listeners with its unique presence.
Rooted in Billboard Japan and Spotify’s commitment to supporting female artists and creators and making their voices heard, this show carries a deeper social message than a typical concert.
Beyond these and spanning jazz, anime music, enka and popular songs, indie and club culture, MAJ WEEK 2026 is a 10-day event where you can experience the full breadth and depth of Japanese music. The award ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 13th at two venues: SGC Hall Ariake and Toyota Arena Tokyo. This event will be streamed live on YouTube for listeners who cannot be in person.
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